Sorry for not posting anything, I had a lot to do. I will upload slower from here again since this is the last of the 12 chapters I wrote beforehand.


Crimson Dust: Will to live

I enter the final room with a bit of hestiation, I feel like I do not wish to see what lies beyond it. I slowly walk in and look around. The room is dark and I can't see the orb of light anywhere.

„'I' wonder..." I suddenly hear her voice „Why are you here? If you wait just a bit longer 'I' will disappear and not bother you and anyone else anymore" I can hear a smile in her voice.

I feel torn apart „Bother me...?" I exclaim in a hurt voice „That's nonsense! I don't feel bothered by you..." I still can't pinpoint her location.

„Lies! Everyone does! You people only intent to hurt 'me'!" The room lights up.

I can see her chained to the wall opposing the door. I stare at her and shake my head.

„It's not true..." I tell her „I could never feel bothered by you! When you're there, I just... feel happy and warm... and when you're gone... it hurts..."

„...Your lies do not matter to 'me'... 'I' will go and be done with it. ...'I' just want to die..." she looks to the ground with a sad expression.

I stare at her „You can't. When you die... you won't be able to come back"

She smiles to me „But that's exactly what 'I' want. 'I' want to disappear and never come back"

I clench my fist „...Why?"

„Because it will be better for everybody if 'I' am gone" she explains indifferent.

„I won't let you... I won't let you disappear!" I exclaim resolute.

I go up to her and embrace her firm.

Her eyes widen in shock „Why? 'I' am just... a burden. Someone who doesn't deserve attention..."

„You're not" I tell her „You're important to me. I don't know why but you're important. Not only me, others are waiting for your return. They worry about you as much as I do"

„That's not true... You're lying... nobody would care..." she replys in a weak voice.

„Then why am I here? Why are others standing beside your real body, anxious? If we don't care... then we do we do this?" I question her.

„...How would 'I' know?" she asks back „You will just hurt 'me' again..."

I smile a bit „You can tell me and the others should even one person try to. I will protect you ...I swear it"

„Really?" She wonders quiet „...Then 'I' will trust you for now. 'I' will... continue to live" She returns my embrace.

She fades with a smile, leaving behind a pure blue ball. I return to the grey roon and put the part together like the first version of Dust told me. The five balls of light circle around each other while they float in the air. The light envelops the room and I find myself beside the real Dusts side.

„Did it work?" Kaikishoku worries.

I answer him „It should have"

The others look at Dust in hope. For several minutes nothing happens until her fingers twitch. Everyone begins to shout her name.

Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

My head hurts and I try to open my eyes but they feel so heavy! I can hear muffled voices, my head aches from the noise but I manage to open my eyes. At first I need to shut them again but the next time I open them I am adjusted to the light and can see all those from earlier around me.

Each and everyone of them wears a relieved expression, even Dictator looks like that.

„What... happened?" I croak out.

They hug me telling me how glad they are for my wellbeing, I don't understand anything /I only passed out for a bit... didn't I?/

They dissolve later without giving me an explanation, only Dictator remains „Are you alright?"

I chuckle a bit „I am. How often do I need to repeat it? ...Can you tell me why they were worried?"

He closes his eyes „Because you were passed out for quite a time"

I sigh „Liar"

He flinches but regains himself „About the self-aware NPCs. I have barely found anything about it, I guess they won't cause trouble either"

I smile relieved „I see. Thanks"

„It's okay" he answeres and leaves.

Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

I leave the room /I shouldn't tell her that my actions are controlled sometimes. I doesn't matter anymore anyway once I destroy whatever causes this. There's no need to make her worry/